DFS Flex Targets DraftKings week 17 2018

By Armando Marsal

Week 17 Flex Targets – DraftKings
By: Armando Marsal

The flex position really adds a unique dynamic to lineup construction as you can plug in a receiver, running back, or even a tight end. Using the flex position wisely can allow you to differentiate and create unique lineups. Every week calls for different situations, so depending on what the slate gives you and pricing, will determine on how you utilize this position. As usual, I’ll go over some players that I am targeting in the main slate this weekend that can be plugged into the flex spot.

Running Back

Chris Carson $6,500 vs. Arizona Cardinals

Carson has 20+ touches in three consecutive game, scoring at least one touchdown in each of those matchups. He draws a phenomenal matchup this week against Arizona who is yielding the fourth most DKFP per game to opposing backs. In addition, this unit has allowed 2,011 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns to the position, both of which are an NFL high, while also giving up a healthy 4.9 yards per carry. Carson has been very efficient with his workload in recent games, averaging over four yards per carry and rushing for at least 90 yards in each of his last three contest, with two 100+ rushing yard games. The Seahawks have clinched a playoff spot, but are still playing for seeding, so I fully expect for Carson to get his regular workload on Sunday.

Jeff Wilson $4,400 at Los Angeles Rams
Wilson is set to get the start in the final game of the season with Matt Breida on the shelf. During Breida’s absence a few weeks back, Wilson did a solid job filling in for him and displayed the ability to be a productive back. This week he faces off against a Rams defense that has allowed over 100 rushing yards in all but two games since Week 8 and surrendering eight rushing touchdowns during that stretch. Although the Rams are favored in this contest, game script should not matter for Wilson, as he is a solid pass catcher out of the backfield. This price is just too cheap for someone who should receive plenty of work and will likely receive as many opportunities as he can handle. The fact that he has good hands, really increase his floor in this spot and make him a viable option in all formats.

Wide Receiver

Julian Edelman $7,600 vs. New York Jets
The Patriots have still not locked up a first round bye and a win this week assures them of that, so I fully expect them to come out and play hard this week, making this business as usual for this unit. Edelman is in a good spot this week, as he is expected to draw coverage from Buster Skrine who grades out below average on Pro Football Focus, a matchup that Edelman has a 21 percent advantage rating in. The Jets as a unit have allowed 231 receptions (3rd most) for 3,052 yards (2nd most) and 17 touchdowns (tied 7th most). Edelman has been pepper with double-digit targets in each of his last three games and continues to be Tom Brady’s go-to receiver in the passing game. In Week 12 when these two teams met, Edelman caught 4-of-5 targets for 84 yards and a touchdown scoring 18.4 DKFP. He offers the perfect combination of a strong floor with a nice ceiling and comes at a reasonable price in this great situation.

Jordy Nelson $4,900 at Kansas City Chiefs
It is difficult to overlook how productive Nelson has been over the last month. Since Week 13, he is averaging nine targets, 7.3 receptions, 77 yards, and 14.95 DKFP per game. In the final game of the season, he draws a nice matchup against the Chiefs who have been generous to opposing wide outs this season, allowing the eighth most DKFP per game to the position. This unit has allowed 210 receptions (5th most) for 2,636 receiving yards (6th most) and 13 touchdowns to wide receivers. These two teams faced off several weeks ago and in that contest, Nelson caught 10-of-11 targets for 97 yards, scoring 19.7 DKFP. This Chiefs are still playing for the top seed and should be playing with a lead in this contest, so I expect the Raiders to be slinging it in this matchup, which should create plenty of opportunities for Nelson. At this price he makes a lot of sense, considering his recent volume. He has not found the end zone in his recent nice run, but if he does get into the pay dirt, he should easily pay off this salary and some.

Tight End

Austin Hooper $3,500 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hooper has been disappointing in recent weeks and although he let me down last week, I am going back to the well this week. He draws a phenomenal matchup against the Bucs defense that ranks 29th in DVOA against opposing tight end and is yielding the ninth most DKFP per game to opposing tight ends. Tampa Bay has surrendered 78 receptions (tied 7th most) for 975 yards (7th most) and five touchdowns to the position. Hooper had his best game of the season against this Bucs defense in Week 6. In that game, he caught 9-of-10 targets for 71 yards and a touchdown, scoring 22.1 DKFP. Although the volume may not be what it was for him that week, this is still a great spot and matchup for Hooper at this fair price.

Good luck to all this week. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me on the Twitter machine: @Armando_Marsal